Abstract

Thomas Woodford's bill of complaint in his final suit against Aaron Holland outlines the conflict between Woodford and Holland over the profits due from the Red Bull in 1612, as well as the details of his previous suits.
Woodford tells that Holland built the playhouse after securing a lease from Thomas Waintworth, and granted to the player Thomas Swinnerton one-eighteenth share and the eighteenth penny in profits from the galleries, which last sum has become the customary 3p a day payment to the gatherers or their assigns. Swinnerton then sold his interest to Philip Stone for £50 in February 1608. Stone was to pay Holland 50s a year for his share, and Holland could cancel the agreement for non-payment. Woodford purchased this share from Stone on 17 June 1612, and deputized his servant Anthony Payne to pay the rent and collect the profits during Woodford's absence from London. Woodford accuses Holland of refusing to accept payment from Payne and then cancelling the agreement upon Woodford's return.
Woodford then gives extensive details of the series of lawsuits he then initiated to retrieve his due profits. Woodford accuses Holland of continually refusing to follow the rulings of the Court of Requests (when in Woodford's favour), and of colluding with Philip Stone (by bribing him to release Holland from all claims in his name) to defraud Woodford of his due profits.